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About the Military Order of The Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

The organization now known as the “Military Order of the Purple Heart,” was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration.

Composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only veterans service organization comprised strictly of “combat” veterans. Funds for welfare, rehabilitation and/or service work carried on by the organization are derived through the collection of used household items, the operation of thrift stores, through the donation of automobiles and, at the community level, from the annual distribution of its official flower, the Purple Heart Viola.

Violas are assembled by disabled and needy veterans, many of whom receive little or no compensation from other sources. Thus, your contribution to our programs serve are two-fold. First, they help the veterans who participate in these endeavors and, secondly, they enable the organization to do many things on behalf of hospitalized and needy veterans and their families.
Wives, mothers, daughters, step-daughters and adopted daughters of Purple Heart recipients are eligible to belong to the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which also does important work nationally and locally in veterans’ hospitals.

All persons of good moral character who are awarded the Purple Heart Medal by the Government of the United States AND are not dishonorably discharged are eligible for active membership in the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A.
Simply complete and submit an application form, provide documentation to us of the award of the Purple Heart Medal, and remit your dues to our office.

Membership Information

Becoming a Member

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

All persons of good moral character who are awarded the Purple Heart Medal by the Government of the United States AND are not dishonorably discharged are eligible for active membership in the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A.
Simply complete and submit an application form, provide documentation to us of the award of the Purple Heart Medal, and remit your dues to our office.

Are you a lineal relative of a Purple Heart Medal Recipient? If so, you qualify for Associate Membership in the Military Order of the Purple Heart Work side by side with Purple Heart recipients to continue the legacy of these brave men and women who gave so much to this country. To be eligible for Associate Membership, you must be a parent or lineal descendant of either a living or deceased Purple Heart recipient. (Please note that siblings are not eligible.)

The Purple Heart is currently awarded pursuant to Executive Order 11016, 25 April 1962, Executive Order 12464, 23 February 1984 and Public Law 98-525, 19 October 1984.

A. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded as follows:

1. In any action against an enemy of the United States.

2. In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.

3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

4. As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.

5. As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force

6. After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.

7. After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.

B. While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not “recommended” for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.

1. A Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered under conditions indicated above, but for each subsequent award an Oak Leaf Cluster will be awarded to be worn on the medal or ribbon. Not more than one award will be made for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant or from the same missile, force, explosion, or agent.

2. A wound is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained under one or more of the conditions listed above. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record.

3. When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.

4. Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

(a) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.

(e) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.

5. Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

(a) Frostbite or trench foot injuries.

(b) Heat stroke.

(c) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.

(d) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.

(e) Battle fatigue.

(f) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.

(g) Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.

(h) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.

(i) Post-traumatic stress disorders.

(j) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.

6. It is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement for the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel. Commanders must also take into consideration the circumstances surrounding an injury, even if it appears to meet the criteria. Note the following examples:

(a) In a case such as an individual injured while making a parachute landing from an aircraft that had been brought down by enemy fire; or, an individual injured as a result of a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, the decision will be made in favor of the individual and the award will be made.

(b) Individuals wounded or killed as a result of “friendly fire” in the “heat of battle” will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the “friendly” projectile or agent was released with the full intent of inflicting damage or destroying enemy troops or equipment.

(c) Individuals injured as a result of their own negligence; for example, driving or walking through an unauthorized area known to have been mined or placed off limits or searching for or picking up unexploded munitions as war souvenirs, will not be awarded the Purple Heart as they clearly were not injured as a result of enemy action, but rather by their own negligence.

C. A Purple Heart will be issued to the next of kin of each person entitled to a posthumous award. Issue will be made automatically by the Commanding General, PERSCOM, upon receiving a report of death indicating entitlement.

D. Upon written application to Commander, ARPERCEN, ATTN: DARP-VSE-A, 9700 Page Boulevard. St. Louis, MO 63132-5200, award may be made to any member of the Army, who during World War I, was awarded a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate signed by the Commander in Chief, American Expeditionary Forces, or who was authorized to wear wound chevrons. Posthumous awards to personnel who were killed or died of wounds after 5 April 1917 will be made to the appropriate next of kin upon application to the Commanding General, PERSCOM.

E. Any member of the Army who was awarded the Purple Heart for meritorious achievement or service, as opposed to wounds received in action, between 7 December 1941 and 22 September 1943, may apply for award of an appropriate decoration instead of the Purple Heart.

F. For those who became Prisoners of War after 25 April 1962, the Purple Heart will be awarded to individuals wounded while prisoners of foreign forces, upon submission by the individual to the Department of the U.S. Army of an affidavit that is supported by a statement from a witness, if this is possible. Documentation and inquiries should be directed to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC-PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471.

G. Any member of the U.S. Army who believes that he or she is eligible for the Purple Heart, but through unusual circumstances no award was made, may submit an application through military channels, to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471. Application will include complete documentation, to include evidence of medical treatment, pertaining to the wound.

H. As noted above, the Purple Heart may be awarded to civilian nationals of the United States. These individuals must be serving under competent authority with the Army when wounded. Serving under competent authority with the Army will include those eligible persons who are employees of the U.S. Government in a duty (pay or official travel) status when wounds are sustained. Examples of eligible individuals are as follows:

1. Any Army employee who is traveling outside of the continental limits of the United States on PCS or temporary duty (TDY) aboard a commercial aircraft and wounded by international terrorists in an attempted or actual hijacking incident.

2. An Army employee in an Army office building performing his or her job who is wounded by an explosive device detonated by international terrorists.

3. A civil or foreign service employee from a U.S. Government Agency or Department attached to an Army element performing intelligence, counter-terrorist, or other duties with the Army wounded by international terrorists.

4. An Army employee wounded in an international terrorist incident in which a soldier or soldiers are also wounded.

2015-2016 Scholarship Information

2015 – 2016 Academic Year Scholarship Information for the Department of Illinois Military Order of the Purple Heart.

This material includes information related to the Department of Illinois Military Order of the Purple Heart (“IL MOPH”) Scholarship Program, including eligibility and application requirements and the scholarship.

This form is exclusively for IL MOPH members, their spouse and their direct descendants.

To be eligible to apply for an IL MOPH Scholarship, the applicant must meet the following:

I. The applicant must fall into one of the following categories:

The sponsor should be an active member in good standing of the IL MOPH.*

The spouse or widow(er) of an IL MOPH member.

The application is a direct descendant of an IL MOPH member, including the child, stepchild, adopted child, or grandchild of an IL MOPH member.

II. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

III. The applicant must be a graduate or upcoming graduating (senior) of an accredited high school.

IV. The applicant must be accepted by or enrolled as a full-time student (12 or more semester credit hours, 18 or more quarter hours) and attending an Illinois College, University or Trade School. *(Graduate Students are Not eligible)

V. The applicant must be able to demonstrate the capacity for advanced academic achievement or technical proficiency as demonstrated by at least a 2.75 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) based on a 4.0 grading system.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:

The applicant must also provide the following supporting documentation with their application:

I. Official high school and/or college transcript, including the latest completed semester or quarter of the current academic year.

III. Proof of the Sponsor’s Purple Heart Award (copy of a DD214 or DD215).

IV. Sponsor’s Military Order of the Purple Heart Life Membership Number.

V. Two Letters of Recommendation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

There will be only one scholarship awarded to each sponsor yearly.

Each IL MOPH Scholarship for the 2015 – 2016 academic years will be in the amount of applications that are not complete or received by the April 15, 2015 deadline will be disqualified and will not be submitted to the IL MOPH Scholarship Committee for evaluation. No exceptions. The IL MOPH Scholarship Committee will consider each applicant’s academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community and military service, work experience, strength of Letters of Recommendation and essay content.

The IL MOPH Scholarship Committee will make all decisions regarding an applicant’s eligibility and the award of the IL MOPH Scholarship to the chosen recipients and ALL The academic requirement of a 2.75 GPA may be waived for a Purple Heart Recipient.

Announcement of the Scholarship Recipients will be posted on www.moph-il.org on or about May 15, 2015 and via mail on or about May 30, 2015.

2013-2014 Scholarship Recipients

Here are the names of the six (06) recipients of the MOPH Scholarship Program for the 2013-2014 school year.

1. Jennifer Duzinskas

2. Christina Finn

3. Katherine Leverich

4. Irma Cornier

5. Gabriella Tuminello

6. Nicholas Weiman

2012-2013 Scholarship Recipients

Here are the names of the seven (07) recipients of the MOPH Scholarship Program for the 2012-2013 school year.